How to Fix the Error “Microsoft Exchange Transport Service Won’t Start”?

If you're working with Microsoft Exchange Server and encounter the error “Microsoft Exchange Transport Service won’t start,” it can be quite frustrating. This service is crucial for email flow, and when it stops, emails can’t be sent or received. Here’s a simple guide to help you troubleshoot and fix this issue.

Reasons for “Transport Service won’t start” Error

This error may sometimes occur due to-

1. Failed, interrupted or incomplete installation Cumulative Update (CU) 
   
2. Other Exchange services and components are not started or functioning correctly
   
3. Memory, disk space, or CPU can prevent the Transport Service from starting
   
4. Third-party software or antivirus programs may interfere with server services, causing startup issues.

Step 1 : Look at the Event Viewer

Firstly, you need to check the Event Viewer for what’s not right. This tool logs events which are system-wide and application-specific and may suggest reasons behind the fault.

1. To open Run command, press Windows + R.
2. Enter eventvwr after typing that in.
3. Navigate to Application under Windows Logs or System under Windows Logs in Event Viewer.
4. Check for any error message pertaining to Exchange Transport Service.

Step 2: Check Exchange Services

In some cases other services on which Exchange depends might be stopped. Ensure all of them are running properly.

1. Type services.msc in Run dialog box to open Services window.
2. Take note of Microsoft Exchange Active Directory Topology service, Microsoft Exchange Mailbox Replication service and others like those ones mentioned above..
3. If any of these services are not running yet then you can go ahead and try again starting the transport service.

Step 3: Check Disk Space and Memory

The Transport Service can stop in case of low disk space or memory.

1. Check if you have enough available space on the same drive where Exchange has been installed.
2. Look at how much of your server’s memory is being used. If it is too high, consider restarting the server or freeing up resources.

Step 4: Update Exchange Server

An outdated Exchange Server may contain some bugs that will cause the Transport Service to fail.

1. Check for new updates and patches for your version of Exchange Server.
2. Install any updates that are available.

When installing a Cumulative Update, it initiates significant changes to both the Exchange Server infrastructure and AD schema. Any issues during this process can render your Exchange Server unusable, causing services to fail to start and potentially compromising data integrity by corrupting mailbox databases or transaction logs.

Transport service may also fail due to a corrupted database. User can use EseUtil- Exchange Database Repair command to fix corrupt Exchange database. One can use Stellar Repair for Exchange utility to solve this problem. which is an EDB file repair tool that recovers emails, contacts, calendars etc from damaged exchange databases (EDB files).

Here’s how to use it:

1. Download and Install -  Go to their homepage and get their product Stellar Repair for Exchange.
2. Select EDB File -  Open the tool then go ahead and select the damaged edb file.
3. Scan and Repair -  It scans the EDB file for corruption and repairs it.
4. Save Repaired Data - After repairing save all data in either new or existing databases.

Step 6: Reboot the Server

Sometimes, just restarting can do the trick. Restart your Exchange server and then try to start up the Transport Service again.

Wrap Up

However, this “Microsoft Exchange Transport Service won’t start” error can be frustrating but following these steps usually helps. If there is a damaged database present, Stellar Repair for Exchange is an amazing tool that helps in recovering them. Always have your system updated and keep checking on your resources at all times this will prevent it from happening in future.

Remember that troubleshooting is time-consuming. So keep your cool and go step by step until you find the answer.